In his second inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln, now twice-elected President of a divided country four years into a gory Civil War, addresses the American people. He attempts to unify the warring North and South with many rhetorical strategies such as repetition and Biblical allusions, as well as appeals to Pathos. Firstly, Lincoln begins his speech by saying that at the beginning of his second term as president, “there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first” (2-3) because “little that is new would be presented.” (10) Lincoln does this to say that the war is a stagnant and now useless piece of his country’s time. Lincoln even calls it “the great contest…that engrosses the energies of this nation.”
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. . is, I trust reasonably satisfying and encouraging to all.” (11, 13-14) Addressing the North’s progress in defeating the South, he simply observes the state of the war, however follows it up, “With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.” (14-15) Lincoln does not wish to antagonize the situation—he says exactly what he is needed to say about the war and goes no further. Likely this has a pacifying effect on the audience—after all, he is in no way interfering with his people, and therefore leaves their fate up to …show more content…
As well as persuasively writing, Lincoln uses Pathos and a large Biblical allusion to hold his own against the inevitable future reactions. Lincoln never addresses much of a single side, or mentions his allegiance beyond slight preferences, for instance, when he says that God now wills to end slavery, or that the North is doing well in winning the war. Instead, his tone is weary. For example, he says, “Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.” (61-63) He is consistent in his insistence that the United States of America become again United. In this at least, it is certain that the people of these divided states
. . is, I trust reasonably satisfying and encouraging to all.” (11, 13-14) Addressing the North’s progress in defeating the South, he simply observes the state of the war, however follows it up, “With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.” (14-15) Lincoln does not wish to antagonize the situation—he says exactly what he is needed to say about the war and goes no further. Likely this has a pacifying effect on the audience—after all, he is in no way interfering with his people, and therefore leaves their fate up to …show more content…
As well as persuasively writing, Lincoln uses Pathos and a large Biblical allusion to hold his own against the inevitable future reactions. Lincoln never addresses much of a single side, or mentions his allegiance beyond slight preferences, for instance, when he says that God now wills to end slavery, or that the North is doing well in winning the war. Instead, his tone is weary. For example, he says, “Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.” (61-63) He is consistent in his insistence that the United States of America become again United. In this at least, it is certain that the people of these divided states